Director, Legal Services (Real Estate)
Top Benefits
About the role
Infrastructure Ontario (IO), an Ontario crown corporation, provides a wide range of services to support the Ontario government’s initiative to modernize and maximize the value of public infrastructure and realty. IO has been recognized domestically and internationally for the way it does business and the success it has had with its major projects, real estate services, infrastructure lending, commercial projects, and development mandate. IO delivers some of the most complex, ambitious commercial and land development solutions for the Province and continues to evolve and expand its capabilities to maximize its public impact and deliver on its vision of creating a connected, modern and competitive Ontario. Job Purpose: As a senior member of the Legal team, provide high-quality, commercially prudent legal advice and services to internal clients and senior management on commercial real estate transactions, asset management and corporate matters relevant to the Government’s General Real Estate Portfolio and Development initiatives. What You Will Do: The Director will be responsible for:
- Providing Legal Advice to Infrastructure Ontario Executives and Business Units to Support Decision Making Provide verbal and written advice, opinions, and support on complex legal matters concerning internal and external Infrastructure Ontario operations in the areas of commercial leasing, asset management, development, real property litigation, corporate/commercial contracts, procurement, and policy development. Draft Infrastructure Ontario legal documents to ensure maximum protection of its legal rights and compliance with all applicable laws. Manage and liaise with external counsel on issues, interpret and disseminate legal advice and recommendations to the senior management team to support business decision-making. Provide advice in the drafting and revision of corporate policies and highlight potential implications or risks to the corporation and its businesses. Provide advice on all areas of law relevant to Infrastructure Ontario.
- Provide Legal Support to Internal Stakeholders on Commercial Leasing, Asset Management, Contract Management, Development, and Corporate/Commercial Transactions Provide legal advice and support on commercial leasing, asset management, development, and related corporate/commercial transactions. Conduct due diligence on commercial leasing transactions, including drafting and negotiating complex offers to lease, leases, renewals, amendments, and related documents, and provide advice on deal structuring. Draft legal documents, contracts, and agreements in support of Infrastructure Ontario Asset Management business units in the planning and execution of commercial transactions. Provide advice and support in managing contract administration issues for assigned lines of business. Provide negotiation support to business units on assigned transactions. Provide advice on the legal aspects of risk management, including commercial leasing transactions, asset management, and procurement. Manage procurement of external legal services for assigned transactions and obtain final approval from the General Counsel.
- Supervise the Leasing & Contract Management Legal Team Manage legal counsels, clerks, and staff; assign and supervise work assignments; coordinate and balance workloads across team members. Establish annual initiatives and objectives and conduct annual and interim performance reviews. Support the development of team members through coaching and mentoring. Provide direction and hold team members accountable for results. Lead regular team meetings. Support the development and management of templates and processes across workstreams. Assist in the development of team structure, workflow coordination, and staffing requirements.
- Supervise a Team of Lawyers and Clerks Manage, train, mentor, and develop legal counsels, clerks, and staff. Assign and supervise work assignments while coordinating and balancing workloads across team members. Establish annual initiatives and objectives, manage performance expectations, and conduct annual and interim performance reviews. Support the professional development of team members through coaching and mentoring. Provide direction and hold team members accountable for results. Lead regular workstream meetings. Assist in the development of team structure, workflow coordination, and staffing requirements. Develop, oversee, and implement strategic programs, systems, processes, tools, and strategies for the team to drive business results.
- Assist in Developing Legal Strategy for Infrastructure Ontario Litigation Matters In coordination with the VP, Legal Services (Real Estate Management and Litigation), provide direction to external counsel with respect to real property litigation, arbitrations, and mediations, and review all documents prepared by external counsel. Review file documents, consider external advice, develop viable legal strategies, and obtain required approvals. Advise and support Infrastructure Ontario senior management and staff regarding their roles in litigation, arbitrations, and mediations. Who You Are: University degree in Law (LLB or J.D.) and membership in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario. Knowledge of legislation relevant to the business of Infrastructure Ontario. Significant, sustained experience practicing commercial leasing, particularly with a focus on asset management, realty operations, lease management, development procurement, planning, and development related to the construction of master-planned communities. Proven strategic and innovative thinking and demonstrated experience, drafting, negotiating, and executing complex commercial lease agreements and ancillary contracts. Demonstrated people management experience or demonstrated experience acting as the functional or team lead for complex transactions and initiatives. Excellent communications and interpersonal skills, ability to communicate complex legal issues in a clear manner to non-legal audiences and effectively represent Infrastructure Ontario in a variety of fora. Strong consultation and influencing skills to resolve issues. Strong negotiation skills to ensure positive outcomes for Infrastructure Ontario. What We Offer: Commitment to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture that promotes a sense of belonging and represents and reflects the needs of the communities we serve. A defined contribution pension plan, where IO contributes the equivalent of 5% of a full-time employee’s annual salary, with an option for IO to match an additional 5% contribution made by the employee. IO also offers a Group Retirement Savings Plan and Group Tax Free Savings Account, designed to help IO colleagues plan and save for their future. A comprehensive package that covers health, dental, vision, out-of-country care, paramedical services, and more. A pregnancy and parental leave program that offers expecting, eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 31 weeks, and our parental leave program offers eligible employees a top-up to 95% of their annual base salary for 15 weeks. Access to our $1000 Healthcare Spending Account to top up expenses not covered in the benefits program and a Lifestyle Account that expands the eligibility of health and wellness options and can include coverage for gym memberships and fitness equipment, nutrition counselling or financial planning. Support for professional development opportunities for all colleagues through a broad range of learning programs that include in-person and online training, leadership development, and support for colleagues’ well-being.IO will also cover the costs associated with up to two membership and license fees per year for eligible colleagues if directly related to the employee’s role. Access to a suite of virtual healthcare options to support non-urgent medical needs. A convenient, central location at 1 Dundas St West, easily accessible by public transit. This posting will close on July 27, 2026 at 11:59 pm. We offer a competitive salary range of $164,700 - $210,500 (L3 level), pay will align with skills, knowledge and experience of the candidate. Interviews will occur on a rolling basis until the role is filled. This posting is for a current active vacancy. We are actively recruiting to fill this position. After reviewing the qualifications listed above, we want you to know that we understand you may not meet all the qualifications described, but still encourage you to apply, as you may have other relevant expertise and experience that you can bring to the role. At Infrastructure Ontario, we strive to create a culture that encourages a diverse equitable and inclusive environment that fosters belonging. We believe that experience comes in many forms and through learning from each others’ differences and perspectives gives us strength. We are committed to enhancing our culture and encourage applications from all walks of life. Let us know if you require any accommodations for the selection process, by contacting the Talent Acquisition Team. Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience will be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position. At Infrastructure Ontario, we use AI in our applicant tracking system to improve the efficiency and fairness of recruitment. Your application will be reviewed by both AI and our hiring team for a thorough evaluation. Please note that final hiring decisions are made solely by our experienced hiring team.